Democratic Rep. hopefuls say they'd ban gifts

The two Democratic hopefuls for state representative in the 74th District favor proposed legislation to ban lawmakers from accepting gifts because, they say, reform is needed.

Caln Commissioner Josh Young said although the ban may not change everything, it’s a step in the right direction for Harrisburg.

“I agree with banning gifts, especially cash gifts, to the legislature by anyone that is a lobbyist,” Young said.

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His opponent, Downingtown Mayor Josh Maxwell, expressed the same view for a reform he called overdue.

“There’s no reason for cash gifts,” Maxwell said.

The two are seeking the party nomination in the new state representative district in the Downingtown-Coatesville area in the May 20 primary. The new Assembly District was added to Chester County because of the population increase here compared to the rest of Pennsylvania.

Proposed legislation has focused on making it illegal for public officials to accept cash gifts and other gifts. Other proposed pieces of legislation have set a limit on the value amount of a gift. The bills are an effort to prevent lawmakers from making decisions that are the result of someone providing gifts to influence public policy.

The House and Senate have passed different versions of the legislation but have to agree on a compromise bill.

Currently, the law requires lawmakers to disclose gifts that exceed $250 in value.

Gov. Tom Corbett said he will sign a bill if it gets to his desk.

Young said he would vote in favor of the bill if he were in Harrisburg.

“Reform starts at home first,” Young said. “If the legislature wants other agencies to reform themselves, it starts with looking in the mirror first.”

Maxwell said occupational perks “attract the wrong people” to be a lawmaker – those who only want to serve for that specific purpose. He said perks of cash, other gifts and pensions, for example, should not be one’s motivation to serve as a lawmaker.

“It is often abused by legislature in Pennsylvania,” Maxwell said.

Maxwell and Young also agreed on other matters that concern voters.

Maxwell said in order for voters to have faith in the governmental system, there is a “need to reform how Harrisburg does business.” Young asks for more as the ban on gifts is not going far enough to restore the public’s trust.

“It’s a good first step,” Young said. “We need to go further.”

The dishonesty by elected officials may hurt voter-turnout in their race, Young said.

The 74th District encompasses Caln, Coatesville, Downingtown, East Caln, East Fallowfield, Modena, Parksburg, South Coatesville, Sadsbury and Valley.

Young and Maxwell will face Republican Harry Lewis, a retired educator in the Coatesville Area School District, for election to the seat in the fall.